Filter.



F. K. 6I E.`F. ATKINS.

FILTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. Ia. 19H.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1,973.12?. Patented .IuIy 23, 1918.

ffy/a4 f. Aff/rms,

Perses m.4 Pnamumo., vMsmNsroN. n. c.

F. K. & E. F. ATKINS.

FILTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18. 19x?.

Lmw. Patented July 23,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/5 i JM 2% 6/ @EL F. K. I E. F. ATKINS.

FILTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. Is. 19|?.

Patented July 23, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEETIi F. K. I E. F. ATKINS.

FILTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I8. 19|?.

Patented July 23, 1918.

L ,'YS, L 1 T..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I I 1| I'I III I l Ill i l I g ifi I I- l 64 4% I 37 5 4 'if f5 l 4 za 43 f3 @o Z7 /H ZLL 9.15,

wuemtoz FRANK K. ATKINS, or NEW Yemen.

irl-nun naar. r. armas, `or AnLineToN, NEW

v JERSEY.

Finnen.

maaier.

l Specicatonof Letters Patent.

rammen .iuiyaaieia Appiicaiton lfiselptlerbee 1s,` `1917.l serial No. reines.

To all whom t may concern.' y

Be it known that We, FRANK K. ATKiNs,

` `a citizen of the United States, and afresi dent of the city, county, and State ofhleiv York, and EARL F. ATKINS, a `'citizen `o`f the United States,` and aresident of Arlington,i`

I" county of Hudson, State of'lNevv Jersey, have invented certain neiv and 'useful Im,-

proveniente in Filters, of ivhiclrthe follow; mg is aspecification. y i i Our present invention relates to" devices for filtering iiuids in which the solids iiltered] therefrom are builtup on the iiltering faces, i .i i v I i YOne of the'olojects of our ini'fention is'to provide simple and efficient means by which` thesolidsmay he readily retrieved froinl L' filter.

Another object ofthe inventiohisitoiproeI vide a `filter which will enable the filtering processes and thewashing andremoval of y p the `solids to he conducted in amost eflicient manner.

With these and other objects in Vievv our, invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination andnrrange ment of parts as will be more"fnllydescrihed and pointed out in the appendednclaims.

1n the drawings, Figurefl representen plan view of an illustrative formefour inl vention; i Fig. 2 is an elevation,partly` in section, of..

` the form illustrated in Fig. 1;

`line 1-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevationloolring" from the left of Fig. 1; i i Y Fig. Lis an enlargement of a section on)- Fig.` 5 is a view similar to a portion Fig. B but with they parts in different po. sitions; V l Fig. 6 is a side elevation of our preferred form of cutter; and

Fig. 7 is af partial sectional end elevation of`Fig.2. Fig. Sis a vieiv similar to Fig. 2 with the parts in a different position.

lhe corresponding` parts are referred to trunnions are fastened the side hars Fastened to these side bars is a fixed head 13, as shown at the left of Figs. 1 an`d`2 and at fthe opposite endsis fastened an abut? nient member or screw standardl. Slidu ingly mounted on the bars 12-12, between the head 13 and the screw standard 14e, is

. a movable or folloiver head 15, and, in oui1 preferredl form, betweenlthe .follower head 15 and the fixed head 1B`is` provided a series of filter plates 16 and filter frames 17.

These filter plates andframes, in generahare ofthe usual construction, and are arranged so that" filter Vcloths may he placed .on either side of each iilterlplateand arefurthermore provided with "eyes` 18,119, 20,1the openings inthe eyes 18 communicating With alternate plates 16 of the series, the openings in eyes 19 with the remaining plates and the openings in eyes 20 with the "interior of tlie` frames 17. Each of `these eyes is in alinement sotliat the openings therein, Ivvhen the seriesof plates `and `frames are placed in position, form conduits from one j end of the series to the other. `The plates areffurther` more provided With fluidoutlets 21 for which in the form illustrated, stop cocks`22` are supplied. The plates 16 y are eaeli proi vided vvithlan opening 41 forming an inactive area of the plate," Thepurpose of this opening lWillloe l1,ereinafter"described.` "The follower head l'15 has a rotatableV member 234j0urnaled therein, the member 23 `having a central aperture124C` forja pui'- pose to loe describedhereafter. y The member' 28 is provided with a :liquid-tight stuffing" loon.` The aperture 24 is normally closedfliy a gate 25 hinged on one of the "rods 61 70. i The Whole arrangement provides a means by Which, when the eapstan nut 27 is turned With the parts in the position `shown in Fig 2, the filter plates and frames, with the filter cloths hetvyeen them, Will he clamped together to make the jbintsbetvveen y p jl'O "A fixed" inletpipe ,28 is `provided vyith its them* liquid-tight.

`axis inl the axis of the ltrunnions `11`-`-11. By a "liquid-tight swivel, the pipe 28"`i`s conf nected through piping"29 to an pipe 30, through `which the liquid lio-be filtered will enter lthe filter through a suitable opening in thelhead 13 communicating with the conduit formed by the eyes 20 of the plates and frames, this conduit .opening through the frames 17 to the interior of the filter. Also connected to the pipe 29V and controlled by suitable valves are pipes 31, 32, which alsocon'nnunicate, through suitable openings in the head 13, with the conduits formed by the eyes 18 and 19 respectively. A pipe 33 also communicates through suitable valves withthepipev 29 and with the interior of the filter through the opening 34. A pipe 35, valve controlled, connects with pipe 30, so that the filter may be drained when sired. f v i l With the apparatus as described thus far, in the position shown in Fig. 2, the filtering process is carried on much as in the usual way. The liquid to be filtered,.usually under pressureis passed through the pipe 30 `into each of the frames 17 and the main body of the Afilter and the filtrate passes through the filter cloths and into the conduits on the faces of the filter plates into the outlets 21, and-through the'cocks 22 into any appropriate trough. When the deposit on the plates has become sufficiently thick, the pressure is cut off andthe solids may then be washed in the usual manner. For instance, it may be done by passing the Washing solution through pipe 30, into and through the solids and out of the cocks 22. With this flow going on, the cocks 22 of plate 16 which communicate Vwith the openings in eyes 1S may be closed and washing solution forced through eyes 18. This causes a reverse flow through the solids from one plate to the opposite plate. yThis circulation may be reversed by Y similarly passing the solution through eyes 19 when the cocks 22 of the plates 16 communicating with eyes 19 are closed. Compressed air may be passed through the pipe 33 to completely diy the cakes of solids built up on the filter plates and also to aid in draining the press.

- Our invention further contemplates a convenient means for removing these solids without the necessity of opening the filter or disturbing the filter cloths. To this end preferably we provide a series of cutters 36, on ashpaft 37. This shaft 37 is mounted eccentric to the filter plates, one end of the shaft having a bearing 64 fastened in the opening 24 of the rotatable member 23 in the follower head 15, and an extension 3S plates, t-he cutters do not interfere with the filtering operation nor do they become enlbedded in the solids. Tt will be understoml that the filter cloths have openings in their centers corresponding to the openings 41, as Well as with the openings through the eyes 18, 19 and 20.

If the filter plates and the cutters are rotated relatively while at the same time the shaft 37 is slowly rotated, the cutting edge 42 of the cutter will cut out the inside of the cake formed on the filter plate. and break it up. This rotation and feed of the cutter may be provided in any suitable way, and as a preferred form of such mechanism, we have shown a shaft 43 mounted in suitable bearings connected to the head 13 and follower head 15 and receiving its power through a gear 44. To the rotatable meniber 23 is attached a gear 45, meshing with gear 44, and to the rotatable member 39 is attached a gear 46, meshing with a gear 47 attached to the shaft 43. Gears 44 and 4-7 are of the same size, as are gears 45 and 46. The rotation of the shaft 43 therefore rotates the members 39 and 23 at the same speed and thus carries the shaft 37 bodily around inside of the openings 41, thus producing a relative rotation between the cutters 36 and the filter plates. Loosely mounted on a hub on the member 39 is a gear 48 meshing with a gear 49 also attached to the shaft 43. The gears 46-47 and 48-49 are so proportioned that, in the form which we have illustrated, the gear 43 will rotate faster than the gear 46. On the face. of the gear 48 is a lug 50, of which more than on(` may be provided, if desired. Fastened to the end of the extension 33 is a lever 5lV ha ring on its inner side a lug- 52. which, when the lever 5l is in the position shown in llig. 3, is arranged to be contacted by the lug Fal. Preferably we provide a roller (l arranged to form the top of the lng As the sha-fl. 43 rotates, therefore, the cutter shaft 37 is carried around bodily by reason of its bear ings in the rotatable members 23 and 39 and at the same time, by reason of the differential motion between the bodilyY rotation of the cutters andthe rotation of the gear carrying the lug 50, the lever .711 is turned clockwise slightly for each complete rol ation of the cutters. This has the effect of carrying the cutter edge 42 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 to the dotted line position shown in that figure, the lever tation of theshaftB? on its own axis.` The 51 ultimately reaching `the position 4shown in Fig. l5, at which time, `because of the eccentric mounting 4of the shaft 37, the lug 5'0 will `passy over ,the top of the lugA 52, andthere will, therefore, be no further r0- roller 62, forming the top of lug 52, prevents undue wear when the parts aredn` the position of Fig. 5. This. separation of these two lugs acts as an automatic cut-out to stop the feed of the cutter when its `edge has reached the outer edge of the active surface of the iilterfplates. 1f desired, the rotation of the heads 23, 39 may be continued without any danger of injuringthe cutters by contact with the edges of the plates or frames. We have provided a locating stop 54 by which the operator can readilyset the Cutters to their correct inner position by Contact f offtheA adjustable screw head 55 therewith, and an `adjustable stop "56 may also` be provided for contactwiththe lever 51 when the cutters are in their outer positlon, as shown 1n Fig. 5. Y a

On the rear ofthe frame 10 is mounted 1n suitable Lb-yarings a vertical shaft "57 ,having a pinionY 58 attached thereto and driven suitable gearing 59 anda pulleyO.

`The shaft 87 is provided with the eXtension 38 and the loose bearing 64 so that it 4with its cutters may be removed from the as shown in Fig. 8. When the filter stands filter. It is obvious that if the bolt 62 and' bearing 64 are removed, 'the shaft 37 with its cutters may then readily vremoved through the right-hand fend lof the press.

After the filtering operation is completed and the solidshavebeen washed and dried as desired,the filter ,isswungl on thetrunnions 11 in the direction of thearrow, Fig. 2, until the plates and framesfare horizontal in this position, the gear 44 meshes with the gear 58 so that as thepulley 60 is rotated, the shaft 43, will be rotated to operate the cutters andthe gears 45 and 46 will be turned to carry theshaft 37 bodily around the interior of the plates. Before the filter is brought to this vertical position, Ethe screw 2G is released se that the outlet gate 25 and plate YOEInay be swungto one side to open the outlet 24. The pulley is started` and the cutters rotate tobreak upthe solids and carry them to the openings 4l'throughwhich l they drop to the opening 24 throughwhich into thescrevv standard 14 and rest against the` follewer 15,., llhese screws 1611' are tightf enedup after the plates, and frames are claniped in place by the,screen/26` so that u thereafter the screw 2G` may` bereleased withfV out releasing the plates and frames.

\ In `ourpreferred form the cutter1 blades; `3C) are arranged not only tobrealrwupathe cake, but are also `arranged sothat-thesolids` arejforced by the blade Liuto the openings 41, which` arrangement permits the removal of the solids without anyefttort on the' part of the operator. Furthermore, we have found it desirable to arrange the blade so that the cutting edge 42 will "have approximately the same cutting' angle iu relation to the solids asit isfed outward and particularly that this `cutting angle shall be very `flat or acute.

Furthermore. while it is desirable that the width of the Acutter 36 shall be great enough to removesubstantially all ofthe solids by; runuingvery close to the ilt'er clothawehaver found that such ai width, if continued to" the support for the blade on the shaft 87, tends to clogthe filter,` especially when the'cutter is removing the last of the solids, the swinging f `the lblade' across theV plate bringing its supporting shank close to theedge of the opening 41.

plishes these ends. ln this form, the cutter 36 is; fastened `to a thin steel shank G5, which is fastened to shaft 37 The front edge of the shank is preferablymade into a cutting edge, as at 6G. a y V shaft V87 by the distance pieces G7.

so loosely that filtration may' be carried on` after solid cakes` arfcftorinedt between the platesyin which event, solids will form inA the openings 41, thus tfreezing the cutters.

To prevent this we provide preferablya thin 1 metal tube 6,8which we place in the openings 41as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.` This tube is passed through the openings 71 and 241' and preferably, for ease in placing andre moving fit, is not a complete tube, but has an 1T he design sho-wn in Figs. 4and 6 `acconti- The shanlrs are spaced onf openinglongitudinally, as shown in Fig. 4

7 and is also tapered longltudmally. When the tube is used, it is inserted before the" filtering operation' begins. lts presence preventsthe solids building up in '.tlieopeuings 41,]around the cutters. It any solids do so build up through the space `between thev edges of `the longitudinal opening` `in the tube, they will be around the sha'ft'? only and will not `prevent its operation. After the cakes are; built", the tube is withdrawn andthe cutters' thrown into operation.` as previously described.` A By the construction described, we obtain all u of theadvantages of filtration with the well-known plate and frame filter press, in

which the plates are heldin vertical position whilethe cakes are being built up and while they arebcingwathed and treatet thas been found by experience that in this type of press the cakes are built up uniformly between two opposite filter plates, whereas in the forms of presses where the filter plates are horizontal, there is a tendency to build up the solids on the top side of each plate at a faster rate-than on the lower side, thus reaching a thickness of cake on one side which will stop any further filtration before the cake on the opposite plate has been built up to the same degree.

' By mounting such a press on the trunnions 11-11 we have also provided a means by which the press can be turned to a position wherein the material can be removed by gravity from the press without opening the plates and frames. We, therefore, have combined in our novel lter press the advantages of the usual plate and frame press, in which the filtering plates are vertical, with an arrangement by which the solids can be mechanically removed without opening the press.

It will also be understood that the cutters which we have illustrated may be used to cleanse the filter cloths While they are in place by passinga fluidreversely through the cloths to raise them into contact with the blades 36 while the latter are rotating in their outer position.

It has also been found that, in certain cases, a better washing effect for the plates would be obtained if the washing water is` being passed through the cakes while the plates are in horizontal position. This is particularly true of materials which are liable to break up and fall while being washed. If this should occur while the plates are in vertical position, an opening or bare spot lon the filter cloth is thereby made,

through which the Wash water will find a ready passage without going through the rel mainder of the cake. When the plates are horizontal this tendency to fall is obviated. Vith our novel arrangement we are therefore able to carry on the filtering process with the plates in the vertical position and then to carry on the washing process with them in their horizontal position.

The embodiment of our invention may be varied widely. While in our preferred form we rotate the cutter, we are not limited to this particular arrangement, since other structures in which the plates rotate while the cutter is swung in between the rotating plates will have the same effect.

While preferably we have adapted our novel means for breaking up and removing the solids to a press of the plate and frame type, it will be understood that such mechanism may be applied to any other typeof filter. It will also be understood that the swinging of the filter from the horizontal to the vertical position is not essential, since the press would operate if the filtering operation were carried on while in a vertical position, the cutters at such time being at rest.

While we have shown a central aperture in the plates, such arrangement is by no means essential, it being possible to locate the aperture and cutters in other positions in relation to the plate.

We claim 1. In a filter, a filter plate having a nonfiltcring area within its periphery, means for building up a cake on said plate, a cutter normallylocated opposite said non-filtering area while the cake is building and means to move said cutter and said plate relatively to break up and remove the cake.

2. In a filter, a pair of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opening and such openings being in alinement, a cutter normally located in the space between the plates and in alinement with said openings, means to deposit solids on said plates and means to move said plates and said cutter relatively to break up and remove such deposits. f

3. In a filter, a pair of filter plates spaced apa-rt, each plate having a central opening and such openings being in alinement, a cutter normally located in the space between the plates and in alinement with said openings and means to move said cutter through the space between said plates and across the active faces thereof.

4t. In. a filter, a pair of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opening and such openings beinp` in alinement, a cutter normally located in the space between the plates and in alinement with said openings, means to deposit solids on said plates and means to feed the cutting edge of said cutter through such deposits to break up and remove them.

5. In a filter, a series of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opening and such openings being in alinement, a shaft extending through said openings, a series of cutters on said shaft, each normally positioned in a space bet veen a pair of said plates and in alinement with said openings and means to rotate said shaft to move said cutters across the active faces of said plates.

VG. In a filter, a series of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opening and such openings being in alinement, a shaft extending through said openings and eccentrically located in relation to said plates, a series of critters on said shaft, each normally positioned in a space between a pair of said plates and in alinement with said openings and means to rotate said shaft to move said cuttersacross the active faces of said plates.

7. In a filter, a series of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opebing and such openings being in alinement, a shaft extending through said openings and eccentrically `located in `relation `to `said shaft 'extending through said openings and ee'centrically located in relation to said plates, a series of cutters on said shaft, each normally positionediin a spacegbetween a pair of said plates and in alinement with said openings, meansvto rotate said plates and said cutters relatively to each other and means to rotate said shaft to move said cutterslacross the active faces of said plates, sa id last named means being constructed and arranged to stop the rotation ofsaid shaft vautomatically when said cutters reaclnthe Router edges ot said plates.

' `9.111 a filter, a pair of, heads, a series of filter plates andframes held therebetween, each ofsaid= plates. having a central opening and such openings being in alinement,` a

rotatable member in each of said. heads, a

shaft eccentrically and rotatably mounted in said me1nbers,ia series of cutters on said shaft, each cutterl beinglocated in one'of the frames and normally in alinement with 'said openings, means to rotate sa-id members and means to rotate said shaft` as said members are rotating; i 1

10. In a ilter, a pair of heads, a series of filter plates and frames f held therebetween, each` of said plates having a central 40 openingiand such openings being in alinement, a lrotatable member in each of said heads, one of said heads having an outlet therethrough in alinement with the openings in said plates,'j'1neans to close said outlet, a 'shaft 'eccentrically and rotatably mounted insaid members, a series of cutters on said shaft, each cutter: being located in one of the frames and normally in alinement with said openings, means to rotate said members and means to rotate said shaft as said members are rotating.

11. ln a filter, a iired head, a movable head having an outlet therethrough, anA

abutment, a series of filter plates and frames between said heads, each plate having acentral opening and said openings beingl in alinement with each other and with said outlet, means to close said outlet, clamping means between said movable head and said abutment to clamp said plates and i frames between said heads and to operate position while said clamping means is operated to permit said outlet to be opened.

'between said heads and a support for `said ,heads and abutment constructed and arjanged to permit sald plates to be swung 12.1111 ailtenaiixed head, a movable head having an" outlet therethrough, an abutment, a series oili'lter plates and frames between said `headsfeach plate having a central opening and said openings being in alinement with each other and with said outlet, means to close said. outlet, clamping means` between said movable l head and` said abutment to clamp said platesand `frames `from verticalposition to fhorizontal position and back again.

131111 a filter, a fixedhead, a movable `head having an outlet therethrough, an abutment, a series of filter plates and .frames between said heads, each plate `having a central opening and said openings being in alinement with each other and with said outlet, means to` close said outlet, clamping means between said movable` head and said abutment to clamp said plates` and iframes between said heads, a support for said heads and abutment constructed and arranged to permit said plates to be swungffroni vertical position to horizontal position and back again, cutters, and means to cause said cutters to break up ythe"solids formed `on said plates and remove i them :through said openings and said outlet when said `platesare in horizontal position. i I V 14. A iilter having a series of filter plates, means for supporting saidfilter constructed and arranged to permit'itto, be swungso i90 that said plates are either, horizontal "or vertical, means for' supplying solution` to said `filter to build up solids"-onsaidgplates when said plates Aare vertical andy means to break up and remove such solids from 1,95 between said plates when said fplates `are horizontal. .i A

115.In a ,iilteig ay horizontal iilter plate hayinga central opening,` means ,for lniii'd-` ing upy aealre thereon; a cutter, blade nor- 1,10 mally located above said plate and in alinei Vment with said opening, said blade being mounted to permit its cutting edge to be mounted to permit its cutting edge to be swung from a position adjacent the edge of said opening to a position adjacent the outer edge of said plate and means to rotate said plate and said blade relatively as the cutting edge is being swung from its inner to its outer position, saidvblade being shaped so as to force the solids broken up by the cutting edge toward and into said opening.

17. In a filter, a horizontal filter plate having a central opening, means for building up a cake thereon,a cutter blade normally located above said plate and in alinement with said opening, said blade being mounted to permit its cutting edge to be swung from' a position adjacent the edge of said opening to a position adjacent the outer edge of said plate and means to rotate said plate and said blade relatively as the cutting edge is being swung from'its inner to its onterposition, said blade being shaped so as to force the solids broken up by the ycutting edge toward and into said opening and to permit the solids to discharge into said openm I8. In a filter,a pair of horizontal filter plates spaced apart and having alined central openings therein, means for depositing solids Yon saidv plates, a cutter blade located between said plates and pivot-ally mounted eccentrically of said plates to permit its cut ting edge to be swung from a position adjacent the edge of said opening to a position adjacent the outer edge of said plates, and means to rotate said plates and said blade relatively as the cutting edge is being swung from its inner to its outer position, the cut` ting edge of said blade being only slightly narrower than the space between said plates and said blade being relatively thin between the cutting edge and the blade support.

19. In a filter, a pair of horizontal filter plates spaced apart and having alined een* tral openings therein, means for depositing solids onsaid plates, a cutter blade located between said plates and pivotally mounted eccentrically of saidplates to permit its cutting edge to be swung from a position adjacent the edge o1' said opening to a position adjacent the outer edge of said plates, and means to rotate said plates and said blade relatively as the cutting edge is bein g swung from its inner to its outer position, said blade being shaped and mounted so that its cutting edge maintains a substantially constant acute cutting angle in relation to the solids on said plates as said blade is swung from its inner to its outer position.

20. A filter having a series of alternate filter plates and filter frames, filter cloths between said plates and frames, means for clamping said plates and frames together to make the joints therebetween liquid-tight, said plates and cloths being` provided with openings, means for supplying the solution to be filtered to said press, means whereby the remaining unfiltered solution may be drained from the filter after the solids have been deposited, and mechanism operative while said plates and frames are clamped together, for breaking up and removing the solids from the filter through said openings after the filter is drained.

21. Ina filter, a pair of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opening and such openings being in alinement, a cutter normally located in the space between the plates and in alinement with said openings, means to deposit solids on said plates, means to prevent solids depositing around said cutter, and means to feed the cutting edge of said cutter through such deposits to break up and remove them.

22. In a filter, a series of filter plates spaced apart, each plate having a central opening and such openings heilig in alinement, means to deposit solids on said plates, cutters between said plates and normally in alinement with said openings, removable means to prevent solids depositing around said cutters when in normal position and means to move said cutters to break up and remove the solids.

FRANK K. ATKINS. EARL F. ATKINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of :Pat-ents, Washington, I). G. 

